Interview: Malachi McCaskil's Bursting on the Ahmanson Stage as Usher in A STRANGE LOOPMichael R. Jackson’s 2020 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning A Strange Loop opens June 5, 2024; at the Ahmanson. A co-production of Center Theatrer Gtoup and American Conservatory Theatre, Stephen Brackett directs the cast led by Malachi McCaskil as Usher with Dave J. Abrams, Angela Alise, Jordan Barbour, J. Cameron Barnett, Carlis Shane Clark, Alvis Green Jr., Albert Hodge, Avionce Hoyles, Tarra Conner Jones, Jamari Johnson Williams and John-Andrew Morrison. I was able to chat Malachi after he finished his West Coast premiere at A.C.T.
Review: A STRANGE LOOP at American Conservatory TheatreThere was a considerable buzz of excitement at the West Coast premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s A Strange Loop. Could the musical live up to the hype generated by its eleven Tony nominations and wins for Best Musical and Best Book? That would be a hell yes! Right from the opening number “Intermission Song,” A Strange Loop bursts with a kinetic energy and excitement not felt since Hamilton blew my mind.
Review: RENT Soars at Broadway At Music CircusA lot can happen in 525,600 minutes. Love is found, dreams are lost, and lives are irrevocably altered. Such is the premise of Jonathan Larson’s rock musical, Rent, which is loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera, La Bohème. Larson wanted to tell the stories of his friends who were afflicted by the AIDS epidemic and, at the same time, highlight the struggles that he and his peers faced as young artists in New York City. Sadly, Larson died from an aortic aneurysm the night before Rent opened Off-Broadway. He would not see it go on to Broadway and win the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama; however, his vision continues in Broadway at Music Circus’ finale of their 2023 season.
COME FROM AWAY Plays the Hult Center in AprilThe American Theatre Guild will present the must-see engagement of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN EUGENE SERIES and will take the Hult Center stage for eight performances April 25–30, 2023.
Review: COME FROM AWAY National Tour at Durham Performing Arts CenterCome From Away is based on a true story of when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small Canadian town turned into an international sleep-over when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from across the globe, were diverted to Gander's air strip on September 11th, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar, and the recognition that they're all part of a global family.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at The Overture CenterWhat did These 12 actors have created the most perfect professional ensemble show I have ever seen. There was no stand out star of this show, there were no pro or antagonists. There was only circumstances and stories. Often reviewers say things like, “This is not a show to be missed!’ “Catch it while you can!” and other such things, so I won’t. But I will tell you that you will be missing out on some of the best theater I have seen. So, get your tickets, it’s only “90 minutes without an intermission” and worth every second. This is a show I personally hope to see again and again.